Policy and advocacy framework

Abstract

The answer to this complex question is not as simple as using a dictionary. According to the WHO, health policy are policy that “refer to decisions, plans, and actions that are undertaken to achieve specific health care goals within a society” (World Health Organization 2018a, b). Often policies that may not be delineated in legislature as “health policies” may still affect health in other manners. Dr. Margaret Chan, former Director- General of the World Health Organization, stated that “Policy spheres are no longer distinct. Lines of responsibility are blurred” (Chan 2010). She further goes to cite an example using the industrialization of food production and how the pesticide usage from this can lead to health effects (Chan 2010). Policies are complex and can result in intentional and unintentional effects.